Web Processing Device and Web Processing Method

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a web processing device, comprising a plurality of pads P i  revolving around a axis X 1 , a cutter  30  for cutting a continuous web W, and a plurality of anvils A i  for receiving the cutter  30 . The pads P i  receive the continuous web W, and the cutter  30  cuts the continuous web W into a cut-off web W 2  together with the anvil A i  positioned at a first relative level L 1 . The pad P i  revolves around the axis X 1  while changing an attitude of the pad P i  by turning about a line extending from the first axis toward the pad P i , thereby carrying the cut-off web W 2  while changing an attitude of the cut-off web W 2 . When the pad P i  changes its attitude, the anvil A i  relatively moves to a second relative level L 2  so as not to hinder the pad P i  changing its attitude.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a web processing device and a webprocessing method, in which a continuous web is cut into pieces and thecut-off webs are carried while the attitude thereof is changed.

BACKGROUND ART

The first patent document, identified below, discloses a processingsystem, in which an elastic material is carried by pads, and the elasticmaterial is cut between the pads while being stretched, after which thepads are rotated to change the attitude of the material.

The device of the first patent document does not have an anvil. Theelastic material can be cut without using an anvil.

-   [First Patent Document] Japanese National Phase PCT Laid-Open    Publication No. 10-513086 (WO96/23475) (FIG. 47)

The second and third patent documents, identified below, each disclose adevice for cutting a continuous web while carrying the continuous web bypads to produce cut-off webs, and for widening the interval between thecut-off webs.

However, the second and third patent documents fail to disclose changingthe attitude of the cut-off webs.

-   [Second Patent Document] Japanese National Phase PCT Laid-Open    Publication No. 11-513647 (WO97/14387) (Abstract)-   [Third Patent Document] Japanese National Phase PCT Laid-Open    Publication No. 2003-508243 (WO01/017473) (Abstract)

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In a conventional device, where a continuous web is cut and carriedwhile the attitude thereof is changed by means of a single rotatingunit, the cutter is received by a pad or an anvil integrated with a padwhen cutting the web. With such a configuration, however, theweb-cutting load acts upon the pad, thus shortening the lifetime of thepad. If an anvil for receiving the cutter is provided separately fromthe pad so as to prevent the web-cutting load from acting upon the pad,the anvil may hinder the change of the attitude of the pad when the padrotates.

An object of the present invention is to provide a web processing deviceand a web processing method, in which a web can be cut by a cutter andan anvil and the attitude of the web can be changed by means of a singlerotating unit.

A web processing device of the present invention is a web processingdevice, including a plurality of pads revolving (rotating) around anaxis, a cutter for cutting a continuous web, and a plurality of anvilsfor receiving the cutter. In this processing device, the pads receivethe continuous web, and the cutter cuts the continuous web into acut-off web together with the anvil positioned at a first relative levelwith respect to a surface of the pad adjacent to the anvil such that theanvil can be brought into contact with the cutter. The pad revolvesaround the first axis while changing an attitude (orientation) of thepad by turning along the surface of the pad, thereby carrying thecut-off web while changing an attitude of the cut-off web. When the padchanges its attitude, the anvil moves to a second relative level withrespect to the surface of the pad adjacent to the anvil so as not tohinder the pad changing its attitude.

Another web processing device of the present invention is a webprocessing device for receiving a tip portion of a continuous web at areceiving position, for carrying a cut-off web cut out from the tipportion to a hand-over position downstream of the receiving positionwhile changing an attitude of the cut-off web, and for handing over thecut-off web to a downstream transfer device at the hand-over position,the web processing device including a rotating unit and a cutter. Therotating unit includes a plurality of pads and a plurality of anvils,which are arranged alternately around the rotating unit and whichrevolve (rotate) generally in a circumferential direction of therotating unit. The cutter is capable of cutting off a tip portion of thecontinuous web, together with the anvil, at a cutting positiondownstream of the receiving position. A level of a surface of the anvilbetween two adjacent pads is set to be a first relative level close to alevel of surfaces of the two adjacent pads at the cutting position sothat the cutter, together with the anvil, can cut out a cut-off web of apredetermined length from the tip portion of the continuous web beingheld by the two adjacent pads. Each pad can be turned about a lineextending generally in a radial direction of the rotating unit. Thelevel of the surface of the anvil adjacent to the turning pad is set tobe at a second relative level more retracted inward of the rotating unitthan the first relative level with respect to the surface of the padwhile the pad moves from the cutting position to the hand-over positiondownstream of the cutting position, so as to allow the attitude of thecut-off web to be changed by turning of the pad.

In the present invention, when cutting the web, the level of the surfaceof the anvil is set to the first relative level close to the level ofthe surface of the pad. Thus, the cutter, together with the anvil, cancut the web. The “relative level” refers to a relative level of onemember or a relative position of one member along the radial directionof the rotating unit, with respect to another member. The first andsecond relative levels are each a relative level or a relative positionalong the radial direction of the rotating unit, with respect to thesurface of the pad.

When the pad turns, the level of the surface of the anvil is set to thesecond relative level more retracted inward of the rotating unit thanthe level of the surface of the pad. Thus, the turn of the pad isallowed, and the attitude of the web can be changed by the turn of thepad.

Thus, while the pads rotate around a single rotating unit, to carry theweb, it is possible both to cut the web and to change the attitudethereof. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost and the size ofthe processing device.

In a case where the continuous web includes an elastic member and thecontinuous web therefore has a contractile force along the direction inwhich the continuous web is carried, since the web is received onto thepad while being in the form of an uncut continuous web, it is possibleto prevent the web from shrinking after being cut. Thus, since it ispossible to prevent the shrinking of the web, it is easy to process theweb after it is cut.

In the present invention, the relative level of the anvil with respectto the pad (the surface of the pad) or the relative level of the pad(the surface of the pad) with respect to the anvil may be changed bymoving the anvil radially inward of the rotating unit with respect tothe pad or by moving the pad radially outward of the rotating unit withrespect to the anvil. Alternatively, the relative level may be changedby moving both of the anvil and the pad in the radial direction of therotating unit.

The mechanism for changing the relative level of the anvil with respectto the pad or for changing the relative level of the pad with respect tothe anvil may be guide means for regulating the path of revolution(rotation) of the anvil and/or the pad when the anvil or the padrevolves, or may be a driving section, such as an air cylinder, formoving the anvil and/or the pad in the radial direction of the rotatingunit after the anvil and/or the pad revolve to a predetermined position.Specifically, level changing means may be provided for changing thelevel of the anvil and/or that of the pad at a position that isdownstream of the cutting position and upstream of the hand-overposition.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each pad has aholding surface for holding the web, and a shape of the pad on theholding surface along a direction of an axis of the rotating unit isgenerally straight at the hand-over position.

If the holding surface of the pad is flat as described above, both endportions of the pad opposing each other in the direction along the axisof the rotating unit come close to the surface of the downstreamtransfer device after the pad turns by 90 degrees. Therefore, thehandover of the web is facilitated.

A processing method of the present invention is a web processing methodfor receiving a tip portion of a continuous web at a receiving position,for carrying a cut-off web cut out from the tip portion to a hand-overposition downstream of the receiving position while changing an attitudeof the cut-off web, and for handing over the cut-off web to a downstreamtransfer device at the hand-over position, the method using a rotatingunit and a cutter. The rotating unit used in the present method includesa plurality of pads and a plurality of anvils, which are arrangedalternately around the rotating unit and which revolve generally in acircumferential direction of the rotating unit. The cutter used in thepresent method is capable of cutting off a tip portion of the continuousweb, together with the anvil, at a cutting position downstream of thereceiving position. The method comprises: a step in which the padreceives the continuous web; a step in which the cutter cuts thecontinuous web at the cutting position, together with the anvilpositioned at a first relative level with respect to a surface of thepad adjacent to the anvil such that the anvil can be brought intocontact with the cutter; a step in which the pad revolves around an axisof the rotating unit while changing an attitude of the pad by turningabout a line extending generally in a radial direction of the rotatingunit, thereby carrying the cut-off web while changing an attitude of thecut-off web; and a step in which, when the pad changes its attitude, theanvil adjacent to the turning pad is relatively moved to a secondrelative level with respect to the surface of the pad so as not tohinder the pad changing its attitude.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a web processing deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing how the attitude of a webis changed.

FIG. 3 is a development view showing an attitude of pads.

FIGS. 4( a), 4(b) and 4(c) are partial side views of the processingdevice each showing how relative levels of anvils and pads change.

FIG. 5( a) is a schematic transverse sectional view showing theprocessing device at the receiving position and the hand-over position,FIG. 5( b) is a development view showing an example of how the attitudeof the web is changed, and FIG. 5( c) is a development view showinganother example of how the attitude of the web is changed.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the attitude of the padat the receiving position and that at the hand-over position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   20: Rotating unit    -   30: Cutter    -   200: Holding surface    -   A_(i): Anvil    -   P_(i): Pad    -   L1: First relative level    -   L2: Second relative level    -   X1: First axis    -   X2: Second axis    -   CP: Cutting position    -   RP: Receiving position    -   SP: Hand-over position    -   W: Continuous web    -   W1: Tip portion    -   W2: Cut-off web

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention will be understood more clearly from the followingdescription of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. Note however that the embodiments and thedrawings are given for the purpose of mere illustration and explanationand should not be used to define the scope of the present invention. Thescope of the present invention can only be defined by the appendedclaims. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denotethe same or corresponding elements throughout several views.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a processing device according toan embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present device receives a tip portion W1 of acontinuous web W at the receiving position RP, and cuts the continuousweb W at the cutting position CP downstream of the receiving positionRP. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the present device carries cut-offwebs W2, produced by cutting the continuous web W, to the hand-overposition SP downstream of the cutting position CP while changing theattitude of the cut-off webs W2. Then, the present device hands over thecut-off web W2 to a transfer device 100, located downstream of FIG. 1,at the hand-over position SP.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present device includes a plurality of padsP_(i), a plurality of anvils (blade-receiving beds) A_(i), and a cutter30.

The cutter 30 includes at least one blade 31 fixed to a cutter roll 32,for example. A plurality of blades 31 may be provided on the cutter 30.

The anvils A_(i) are members for receiving the blades 31, and may befixed around a rotating unit 20. A plurality of anvils A_(i) may beprovided around the rotating unit 20 equiangularly (at an equal angularpitch).

The rotating unit 20 rotates in the first direction D1. The cutter 30rotates in the second direction D2, opposite to the first direction D1,in synchronism with the rotating unit 20. Thus, the rotating unit 20 andthe cutter roll 32 rotate so that the blade 31 hits an anvil A_(i) whenthe anvil A_(i) reaches the cutting position CP. Each time the cutterroll 32 rotates by a predetermined angle (e.g., 360 degrees, i.e., onerotation), the blade 31 hits the anvil A_(i) (A_(i)) at the cuttingposition CP, whereby the tip portion W1 of the continuous web W is cutoff one after another, thus producing the cut-off webs W2.

The pads P_(i) and the anvils A_(i) alternate with each othercircumferentially around the rotating unit 20, and rotate together withthe rotating unit 20 in the circumferential direction of the rotatingunit 20. The pads P_(i) rotate generally about the first axis X1 to bedescribed later, for example. The anvils A_(i) rotate in the firstdirection D1 generally about the second axis X2, which is parallel tothe first axis X1 but is shifted from the first axis X1. The second axisX2 may be the center of rotation of the rotating unit 20, for example.

The pads P_(i) may hold the tip portion W1 of the continuous web W orthe cut-off web W2 by sucking onto the web, or by hooking the web W byneedles, or the like, provided on the surface of the pads P_(i). Forexample, where the webs W, W1 and W2 are sucked onto the pads P_(i) byvacuum, a plurality of suction holes (not shown) may be provided on thesurface of the pads P_(i).

After the pad P_(i) receives the tip portion W1 of the continuous web Wat the receiving position RP, the pad P_(i) rotates in the firstdirection D1 from the receiving position RP. After being received, thetip portion W1 of the continuous web W is cut off at the cuttingposition CP by means of the anvil A_(i) and the cutter 30 incooperation, thereby producing the cut-off web W2. After the cutting,the cut-off web W2 on the pad P_(i) is carried to the hand-over positionSP. At the hand-over position SP, air may be blown through the suctionholes of the pad P_(i) so that the cut-off web W2 can easily be releasedfrom the pad P_(i).

A plurality of first arms 11 are fixed to the rotating unit 20 in aradial pattern. A second arm 12 is provided at the tip portion of eachfirst arm 11 so that the second arm 12 can rotate with respect to thefirst arm 11. A pad frame 13 is attached to the tip of the second arm12. As the rotating unit 20 rotates, the first and second arms 11 and 12follow the rotation of the rotating unit 20, and the pad frames 13rotate in the first direction D1 together with the rotating unit 20.

Guide means 21 for regulating the circular path of the pads P_(i) isprovided at the position indicated by a two-dot chain line around therotating unit 20. The guide means 21 guides the pad frames 13 along acircle centered about the first axis X1. Therefore, as the pad frames 13are rotated via the arms 11 and 12 following the rotation of therotating unit 20, the pad frames 13 are rotated about the first axis X1while being guided by the guide means 21. Thus, the pads P_(i) rotatingabout the first axis X1 and the anvils A_(i) rotating about the secondaxis X2 are in circular motion along different paths.

The radius of rotation of the pads P_(i) is larger than that of theanvils A_(i). The first axis X1, being the center of rotation of thepads P_(i), is situated nearer the hand-over position SP than the secondaxis X2, being the center of rotation of the anvils A_(i). Therefore,the relative level of a pad P_(i) with respect to its adjacent anvilA_(i) changes outwardly with respect to the rotating unit 20 whilemoving from the cutting position CP to the hand-over position SP. Therelative level of a pad P_(i) with respect to its adjacent anvil A_(i)changes inward of the rotating unit 20 while the pad P_(i) moves fromthe hand-over position SP to the cutting position CP.

The change in the relative level of the pad P_(i) with respect to itsadjacent anvil A_(i) in the radial direction can be realized not only byusing the guide means 21 but also by moving the pad P_(i) in the radialdirection of the rotating unit 20 by means of an air cylinder or amotor, for example.

Each pad P_(i) is rotatably fitted into a pad frame 13 via a turningsection 14. Each pad P_(i) can be pivoted about the normal r generallyperpendicular to the surface of the pad P_(i) (the normal r extendinggenerally along the radial direction with respect to the first axis X1(the radial direction of the circular path for the rotation of thepads)), i.e., a line extending generally in the radial direction of therotating unit 20. Thus, it is possible to change the attitude of thecut-off web W2.

FIG. 3 is a schematic development view showing pivoting (turning) motionof the pad P_(i) during moving from the receiving position RP to thehand-over position SP.

As shown in FIG. 3, the pad P_(i) starts pivoting to change its attitudeafter passing through the cutting position CP and after the anvil A_(i)shifts the relative level inward. The pad P_(i) pivots by apredetermined angle (e.g., 90 degrees) by the time when the pad P_(i)reaches the hand-over position SP. Therefore, the cut-off web W2 on thepad P_(i) is handed over to the downstream transfer device 100 (FIG. 1)in such a posture (attitude) that it has turned by the predeterminedangle. While the pad P_(i) moves (returns) from the hand-over positionSP to the receiving position RP shown in FIG. 1, the pad P_(i) pivotsfurther by a predetermined angle (e.g., 90 degrees) into such anattitude that the pad P_(i) can received the continuous web W.

The pads P_(i) revolve about the first axis X1 without pivoting, i.e.,while maintaining the same attitude, at the receiving position RP, thecutting position CP and the hand-over position SP.

When the cutter 30 cuts the web W, the level of the surface As of theanvil A_(i) is positioned at the first relative level L1 close to thelevel of the surface Ps of the pad P_(i), as shown in FIGS. 4( a) and4(b), thereby allowing the web W to be cut by the blade 31. At thecutting position CP, etc., the pad P_(i) cannot pivot because a pivotingpad at this position would be in contact with the anvil A_(i). Thedistance from the first axis X1 to the surface As of the anvil A_(i) atthe first relative level L1 may be set to be generally equal to thedistance from the first axis X1 to the surface Ps of the pad P_(i).

While moving from the cutting position CP to the hand-over position SP,the level of the surface As of the anvil A_(i) is changed to the secondrelative level L2, i.e., retracted, inward of the rotating unit 20(FIG. 1) with respect to the surface Ps of the pad P_(i), as shown inFIG. 4( c), so that the corner portion Pc of the pivoting pad P_(i) ofFIG. 3 will not be in contact with the anvil A_(i). Such a change in therelative level allows the pads P_(i) to pivot. The distance from thefirst axis X1 to the surface As of the anvil A_(i) at the secondrelative level L2 may be set to be smaller than the distance from thefirst axis X1 to the surface Ps of the pad P_(i).

That is, while moving from the cutting position CP to the hand-overposition SP, the pad P_(i) of FIG. 1 is relatively moved outward withrespect to the level of the surface As of the adjacent anvil A_(i).Thus, the surface As of the anvil A_(i) is relatively moved to thesecond relative level L2, which is retracted inward with respect to thesurface Ps of the adjacent pad P_(i), thereby allowing the pad P_(i) topivot about the normal r of the pad P_(i).

While moving from the hand-over position SP to around the receivingposition RP or the cutting position CP, the surface Ps of the pad P_(i)is relatively moved inward of the rotating unit 20 with respect to thesurface As of the adjacent anvil A_(i) to be at the first relative levelL1. Therefore, at the cutting position CP, the surface As of the anvilA_(i) returns to the first relative level L1 close to the level of thesurface Ps of the pad P_(i), whereby the cut-off web W2 can be cut outfrom the continuous web W by means of the cutter 30 together with theanvil A_(i).

The change of the relative levels L1 and L2 may be realized by shiftingthe level of the anvil A_(i) or shifting both the level of the anvilA_(i) and that of the pad P_(i), instead of by shifting the level of thepad P_(i) in the radial direction of the rotating unit 20 as describedabove.

Now, an example of the guide means 21, etc., will be described withreference to a transverse sectional view of FIG. 5( a).

As shown in FIG. 5( a), the guide means 21 may include a ridge portion21 a fixed to a stationary cylinder section 50, and a groove member 21 bfitted around the ridge portion 21 a. The pad frame 13 is connected tothe second arm 12 and the groove member 21 b.

The stationary cylinder section 50 is fixed to the frame of theinstallation (not shown), and rotatably supports a rotary shaft 20 a ofthe rotating unit 20. The center of the stationary cylinder section 50and the guide means 21 is the first axis X1, and the center of rotationof the rotating unit 20 is the second axis X2. Thus, the pad frames 13rotate about the first axis X1, which is eccentric to the second axisX2.

The arrangement of the ridge portion 21 a and the groove member 21 b maybe reversed. That is, the groove member 21 b may be fixed to thestationary cylinder section 50, and the pad frame 13 may be connected tothe ridge portion 21 a.

Now, pivoting means for pivoting the pads P_(i) will be described.

A cam groove 51 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of thestationary cylinder section 50. A roller 15 provided on the pivotingsection 14 of each pad P_(i) is fitted in the cam groove 51. As the padP_(i) rotates about the first axis X1 from the receiving position RP tothe hand-over position SP, the roller 15 moves in the direction of theaxis X1 along the cam groove 51, whereby the pivoting section 14 and thepad P_(i) pivot by about 90 degrees. Thus, the attitude of the cut-offweb W2 on the pad P_(i) is changed.

A structure as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No.01-272803 or Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-96808 may beemployed for the pivoting means.

Now, the operation of the present device will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4( a), the tip portion W1 of the supplied continuousweb W is held by the pad P_(i) at the receiving position RP, and carriedin the downstream D1 direction by the pad P_(i), which revolves in thefirst direction D1. As the tip portion W1 of the web W passes throughthe cutting position CP, as shown in FIG. 4( b), the blade 31 of thecutter 30 hits the surface As of the anvil A_(i) at the first relativelevel L1 at the cutting position CP. Thus, the blade 31 cuts thecontinuous web W to cut off the tip portion W1 of the web. Thus, thecut-off web W2 is produced.

After the cutting, as shown in FIG. 4( c), the surface Ps of the padP_(i) is gradually moved outward of the rotating unit 20 with respect tothe surface As of the adjacent anvil A_(i) while being revolved in thefirst direction D1. In other words, the level of the anvil A_(i) isrelatively moved toward below the pad P_(i). Thus, the pad P_(i) canpivot about the normal r. In such a state, the pad P_(i) startspivoting, and by the time when the pad P_(i) reaches the hand-overposition SP, the attitude of the pad P_(i) is changed, and, as a result,the attitude of the cut-off web W2 on the pad P_(i) is changed.

At the hand-over position SP, the pad P_(i) of FIG. 1 releases the holdof the cut-off web W2, thereby handing over the cut-off web W, whoseattitude has been changed, to the downstream transfer device 100. Thetransfer device 100 may include a pad for sucking the cut-off web W2thereonto, or may carry the cut-off web W2 on a conveyer. Then, the padP_(i), while being further revolved in the first direction D1, isrelatively moved with respect to the adjacent anvil A_(i) inward of therotating unit 20 and is further pivoted, thereby returning back to itsoriginal attitude by the time when the pad P_(i) reaches the receivingposition RP.

Thus, with the present processing device, at the time of cutting theweb, the blade 31 can hit the surface As of the anvil A_(i) so as to cutthe web W, and, at the time of changing the attitude of the cut-off web,the pad P_(i) becomes capable of pivoting. Thus, with the singlerotating unit 20, it is possible both to cut the web W and to change theattitude thereof. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost and thesize of the processing device.

If the pads P_(i) and the anvils A_(i) are moved in circular motionabout the two different axes X1 and X2, respectively, it is easy tochange the relative levels of the pad P_(i) and the anvil A_(i).

FIGS. 5( b) and 5(c) each show an arrangement of the cut-off webs W2.

The attitude of the pad P_(i) may be changed so that the cut-off webs W2_(i) are arranged in a staggered pattern, as shown in FIG. 5( b). Inthis case, the pads P_(i) are moved alternately in the first directionof the width direction D3 (the downward direction in FIG. 5( b)) and inthe second direction (the upward direction in FIG. 5( b)) opposite tothe first direction, whereby the cut-off webs W2 _(i) and W2 _(i+1) arearranged in a staggered pattern. Thus, the cut-off web W2 _(i) isshifted in the first direction of the width direction D3, and thecut-off web W2 _(i+1) adjacent to the cut-off web W2 _(i) is shifted inthe second direction of the width direction D3.

The webs W2 _(i) may be aligned in a single line as shown in FIG. 5( c).

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the pad P_(i).

Each pad P_(i) has a holding surface 200 for holding the cut-off web W2.The shape of the holding surface 200 along the circumferential directionD1 of the rotating unit 20 at the hand-over position SP isoutwardly-protruding curved. The shape of the holding surface 200 alongthe direction of the first axis X1 of the rotating unit 20 at thehand-over position SP is generally straight. Thus, the holding surface200 appears generally as a straight line in the cross section of the padP_(i) taken along a line parallel to the first axis X1 at the hand-overposition SP.

If tapered surfaces are formed at end portions 201 opposing each otherin the direction along the first axis X1 of the holding surface 200 atthe hand-over position SP, the opposite end portions 201 will bepositioned slightly away from the downstream transfer device 100.Therefore, in this case, when the opposite end portions of the cut-offweb W2 held on the holding surface 200 are sucked and received by thetransfer device 100, the opposite end portions of the cut-off web W2would be more likely to get creased. In contrast, if the shape of theholding surface 200 along the direction of the first axis X1 is straightas in the present embodiment, the opposite end portions 201 of theholding surface 200 come close to the pad of the transfer device as is acentral portion 202 of the holding surface 200. Therefore, the handoverof the cut-off web W2 is facilitated, and the opposite end portions ofthe cut-off web W2 are less likely to get creased, etc.

At the receiving position RP, the shape of the holding surface 200 alongthe circumferential direction D1 of the rotating unit 20 is straight. Asshown in FIG. 1, with the present device, the continuous web W beforebeing cut is received by the pad P_(i). Therefore, the continuous web Wcan be received even if the shape of the holding surface 200 isstraight.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been describedabove with reference to the drawings, obvious variations andmodifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art uponreading the present specification.

For example, at the cutting position, the level of the surface of theanvil may be protruding outward of the rotating unit with respect to thelevel of the surface of the pad, may be equal to the level of thesurface of the pad, or may be slightly retracted from the level of thesurface of the pad.

The surface of the pad may be an arc-shaped curved surface.

The path of rotation of the pad need not necessarily be circular, butmay be elliptic or of any other suitable shape.

The pads or the anvils need not necessarily rotate about a fixedposition such as the axis X1 or X2.

The pad need not necessarily pivot about the normal, but may pivotaround another line intersecting the surface of the pad.

Thus, such variations and modifications shall fall within the scope ofthe present invention as defined by the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to a processing device forprocessing a web, e.g., disposable worn articles such as sanitaryproducts, disposable underpants and disposable diapers, medicalmaterials such as wound dressings, building materials such asheat-insulating materials, etc.

1. A web processing device, comprising a plurality of pads revolvingaround a first axis, a cutter for cutting a continuous web, and aplurality of anvils for receiving the cutter, wherein: the pads receivethe continuous web; the cutter cuts the continuous web into a cut-offweb together with the anvil positioned at a first relative level withrespect to a surface of the pad adjacent to the anvil such that theanvil can be brought into contact with the cutter; the pad revolvesaround the first axis while changing an attitude of the pad by turningabout a line extending from the first axis toward the pad, therebycarrying the cut-off web while changing an attitude of the cut-off web;and when the pad changes its attitude, the anvil moves to a secondrelative level with respect to the surface of the pad adjacent to theanvil so as not to hinder the pad changing its attitude.
 2. A webprocessing device according to claim 1, wherein: each pad revolvesgenerally about the first axis and each anvil revolves generally about asecond axis; the first axis and the second axis are generally parallelto each other and are out of alignment with each other; and the anvil atthe second relative level is positioned inward closer to the first axisthan the anvil at the first relative level.
 3. A web processing deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein each pad has a holding surface for holdingthe web, and a shape of the holding surface along a direction of thefirst axis is generally straight at a hand-over position.
 4. A webprocessing device for receiving a tip portion of a continuous web at areceiving position, for carrying a cut-off web cut out from the tipportion to a hand-over position downstream of the receiving positionwhile changing an attitude of the cut-off web, and for handing over thecut-off web to a downstream transfer device at the hand-over position,the web processing device comprising a rotating unit and a cutter,wherein: the rotating unit includes a plurality of pads and a pluralityof anvils, which are arranged alternately around the rotating unit andwhich revolve generally in a circumferential direction of the rotatingunit; the cutter is capable of cutting off a tip portion of thecontinuous web, together with the anvil, at a cutting positiondownstream of the receiving position; a level of a surface of the anvilbetween two adjacent pads is set to be a first relative level close to alevel of surfaces of the two adjacent pads at the cutting position sothat the cutter, together with the anvil, can cut out a cut-off web of apredetermined length from the tip portion of the continuous web beingheld by the two adjacent pads; each pad can be turned about a lineextending generally in a radial direction of the rotating unit; and thelevel of the surface of the anvil adjacent to the turning pad is set tobe at a second relative level more retracted inward of the rotating unitthan the first relative level with respect to the surface of the padwhile the pad moves from the cutting position to the hand-over positiondownstream of the cutting position, so as to allow the attitude of thecut-off web to be changed by turning of the pad.
 5. A web processingdevice according to claim 4, wherein: each pad revolves generally abouta first axis of the rotating unit, and each anvil revolves generallyabout a second axis of the rotating unit; the first axis and the secondaxis are generally parallel to each other and are out of alignment witheach other; and the anvil at the second relative level is positionedinward closer to the first axis than the anvil at the first relativelevel.
 6. A web processing device according to claim 4, wherein each padhas a holding surface for holding the web, and a shape of the pad on theholding surface along a direction of an axis of the rotating unit isgenerally straight at the hand-over position.
 7. A web processing methodfor receiving a tip portion of a continuous web at a receiving position,for carrying a cut-off web cut out from the tip portion to a hand-overposition downstream of the receiving position while changing an attitudeof the cut-off web, and for handing over the cut-off web to a downstreamtransfer device at the hand-over position, the method using a rotatingunit and a cutter, wherein the rotating unit includes a plurality ofpads and a plurality of anvils, which are arranged alternately aroundthe rotating unit and which revolve generally in a circumferentialdirection of the rotating unit, and the cutter is capable of cutting offa tip portion of the continuous web, together with the anvil, at acutting position downstream of the receiving position, the methodcomprising: a step in which the pad receives the continuous web; a stepin which the cutter cuts the continuous web at the cutting position,together with the anvil positioned at a first relative level withrespect to a surface of the pad adjacent to the anvil such that theanvil can be brought into contact with the cutter; a step in which thepad revolves around an axis of the rotating unit while changing anattitude of the pad by turning about a line extending generally in aradial direction of the rotating unit, thereby carrying the cut-off webwhile changing an attitude of the cut-off web; and a step in which, whenthe pad changes its attitude, the anvil adjacent to the turning pad isrelatively moved to a second relative level with respect to the surfaceof the pad so as not to hinder the pad changing its attitude.